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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JANUARY 20, 2023 | The Indian Eye 22

AAPI Organizes HPV Vaccination Awareness Camp

in Visakhapatnam to Prevent Cervical Cancer

OUR BUREAU second most common type of cancer
among women and India contributes
Visakhapatnam, India
to the largest proportion of global cer-
merican Association of Physi- vical cancer burden. Cervical cancer is
cians of Indian Origin (AAPI), a preventable and curable disease as
Ain collaboration with the AAPI long as it is detected early and man-
India Foundation administered free aged effectively. Most cervical cancers
HPV vaccines to over 100 low income are associated with the Human Papil-
young girls, chosen from several gov- loma Virus (HPV) and the HPV vac-
ernment schools in the region, during cine can prevent most cases of cervical
a special launch of HPV Vaccination cancer if the vaccine is given before
awareness camp organized at the girls or women are exposed to the vi-
Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital, rus. Prevention through vaccination is
Visakhapatnam in India on Saturday, of the Summit, Dr. V. Ranga, AAPI Pradesh,” said Dr. Meher Meda- one of the pillars of the Global Strat-
January 7th, 2023 with the objective BOT Chair said, “In addition to HPV varam, an organizer of the program, egy adopted by WHO for the elimina-
of creating awareness and prevent- VACCINATION and cervical cancer and the Secretary of AAPI. “AAPI’s tion of cervical cancer.
ing cervical cancer, a leading cause of awareness program, GHS 2023 has noble initiative through education Dr. Anjana Samaddar, Pres-
cancer deaths among women in India. provided education on: Chronic dis- and awareness programs is aimed at ident-Elect of AAPI said, “Cervi-
“We at AAPI, in keeping with our eases which can be prevented- notably helping save many lives in India,” she cal cancer could be the first cancer
efforts and initiatives to educate, cre- diabetes, cardiovascular, hyperten- added. EVER in the world to be eliminated,
ate awareness and provide support on sion, maternal and infant mortality, The funds for the vaccine has if 90 % of girls are vaccinated; 70%
disease prevention, are happy to be lifestyle changes, mental health, man- been provided by Dr. Rao Mowa, Dr. of women are screened; and, 90% of
part of the HPV Vaccine Awareness agement of neurological disorders Medavaram, Dr. Syed Ahmed, Dr. women with cervical disease receive
Program,” Dr. Ravi Kolli, President and blindness prevention.” V. Ranga, AAPI BOT Chair, A T G treatment. This is an important step to-
of AAPI said. “It was truly an enrich- Attended by nearly 500 dele- Tours, and Shri. Sadasiva Rao and wards reaching goal,” she pointed out.
ing experience to be present in person gates, the largest ever to attend the others. Prominent among those who Dr. Satheesh Kathula, Vice Pres-
and meeting with the young women AAPI GHS, from the United States attended the event and supported the ident of AAPI, who was among those
and be part of this life saving mission.” and India, the GHS 2023 is being noble initiative included, Dr. Satheesh who attended the awareness camp,
The awareness camp was orga- jointly organized by AAPI and the Kathula, Vice President of AAPI, said, “Cervical Cancer is preventable
nized as part of APPI’s 16th annual local organizing committee at Vi- Dr. Mallikarjuna, Collector and Dis- through Vaccination and Early Pap
Global Healthcare Summit (GHS) sakhapatnam from January 6th to 8th, trict Magistrate, Visakhapatnam; Dr. smears and cervical examinations.
2023 and was inaugurated in person 2023. This Global Healthcare Sum- Jagadeeswara Rao, DM & HO, Vi- Justifiably so, one of our preventive
by Chief Guest at the Summit, Smt. mit, with participation from leading sakhapatnam; Smt. Chandralekha, campaign goals has been to provide
Vidadala Rajini, Honorable Minister medical professionals, thought lead- DEO; and, Dr. Suresh Reddy, past education and prevention of Cervical
for Health, Family Welfare & Med- ers, heads of several health industry President of AAPI. Cancer in India.”
ical Education. In her address, the sectors, and policy-makers has been Dr. T. Radha, Chair of AAPI “Through Continuing Medical
Minister, praised the efforts and the instrumental in help create policies Women’s Forum, who was part of the Education and non-CME seminars by
many initiatives of AAPI in provid- and programs that make healthcare cervical awareness campaign event experts in their fields, AAPI provides
ing the best and efficient healthcare delivery in India equitably available said, “If vaccination programs are ef- comprehensive and current reviews
to the most vulnerable sections of the to everyone in India. fectively implemented, approximately and guidelines for the diagnosis and
society. She urged AAPI to work col- “In coordination with the local 90 percent of invasive cervical cancer treatment of various disease states to
laboratively with the government of organizers, AAPI donated the funds cases worldwide could be prevented, reduce morbidity and mortality and
Andhra Pradesh to make healthcare for the HPV Vaccination, a total of in addition to the majority of precan- achieve cost effective quality care out-
affordable and efficient for all. 200 doses for the vaccine for 100 cerous lesions.” comes,” said Dr. Suresh Reddy, past
While elaborating the objectives children from the state of Andhra In India, cervical cancer is the President of AAPI.

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